From ‘Critically lonely’ to ‘Connected’!

From ‘Critically lonely’ to ‘Connected’!

Emily Kenward, the Coordinator for one of our partner projects – Time to Talk Befriending – in Brighton, shares a story of a successful link up between a client and volunteer:

Veronica, aged 72, was so lonely that she would ring the Sussex Police 9 to 15 times a week, something she had been doing for six months, so that she would have someone to talk to. She was without care provision, had no friends or family to visit her and was very lonely.

Veronica has appreciated the one to one time she now enjoys with the volunteer who visits her. She also enjoys going out and we were able to connect her with a weekly event we run in partnership with one of the local churches and the local college. Two trained helpers from the college assist her in her wheelchair to attend every Wednesday. Veronica has really enjoyed these occasions and comments;”It has helped me meet people I would not normally meet. I have missed human interaction which I now receive regularly.” The regular calls to Sussex Police ceased after just two weeks of being connected to the Time to Talk Befriending Service and Veronica comments on how she has benefited “I was a journalist. Stimulating conversation, travel and social connections were naturally part of my life. I am not used to being isolated. The weeks are very long so it is nice to meet new people. I have interesting intellectual conversations again. It breaks up the week. I feel connected to the world”.